Your Own Health Care Plan

Trying to fight back the tears , I stood at the end of her bed in a state of disbelief. This weak, frail, and nearly lifeless body was not the same vibrant Mom I remembered from years long since passed. She laid there in her hospital bed with an amazing number of tubes and wires attached. Multiple beeping monitors kept track of heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen levels and terms an average person may never even hear! We are so blessed to live in a time of all this incredible health care technology.

Wouldn't it be great if you never have to take advantage of this amazing array of expensive medical science? Would you prefer to avoid laying in that hospital bed all together?

Good News! You can prevent lengthy and expensive hospital stays. You can ward off heart disease - or at least substantially reduce your risk.

Adopt healthy habits. Get some exercise most days of the week. Start with the simple cardio workout above. Eat more natural, healthy foods every day. And for better health - spend less time sitting and more in some kind of physical activity every day!

* Older adults, of both sexes, can benefit from regular exercise or physical activity. And, it doesn't really have to be too strenuous to achieve health benefits. The loss of strength and stamina attributed to aging is in part caused by reduced physical activity. So get some exercise - any kind you enjoy - every day!

* Older adults can realize noticeable health benefits with even just a moderate amount of physical activity. Daily workouts - or exercise offer the best results. You can see results doing longer sessions of moderately intense activities (like walking) or in shorter sessions of more vigorous activities (like swimming, jogging, fast walking or walking up stairs). ( Doing the stairs is a great workout during these colder Winter days! )

* There's more! Additional health benefits can be gained through greater amounts of physical activity, either by increasing the duration, intensity, or frequency. The more you do - the more you benefit!

* Previously sedentary older adults who begin physical activity programs should start with short intervals of moderate physical activity (5–10 minutes) and gradually build up to the desired amount.

* Older adults should probably talk to a health care professional or their physician before starting a new physical activity program.

* In addition to cardio-respiratory endurance (aerobic) activity, older adults can benefit from muscle-strengthening activities. Stronger muscles help reduce the risk of falling and improve the ability to perform the routine tasks of daily life.

The benefits are clear. If losing weight is one of your goals you really can exercise and lose weight fast.

You can relieve stress and enjoy life more - at any age - if you include just a few healthy habits in your daily agenda! Make some time for yourself. Avoid the health-care nightmare.